Apang's detractors gather another MLA

The strength of the Arunachal Congress-M rose to 36 in the 60-member state assembly on Thursday when an independent legislator joined the newly formed party.

Roding Pertin, an associate member of the ruling Arunachal Congress, has dissociated himself to extend unconditional support to the Arunachal Congress-M, led by Kukut Mithi.

AC-M spokesman L Wanglet pointed out that his party has 24 legislators of its own. Eight independent MLAs had extended unconditional support after becoming associated members of the party. Besides, four Congress legislators had also given support.

In all 19 ministers of the Gegong Apang ministry have resigned since Saturday protesting against the ''misrule'' of the chief minister. They include 12 cabinet ministers and seven ministers
of state, Wanglet said.

He alleged that the chief minister had created a fear psychosis by promulgating the National Security Act in the state.

Apang has deployed paramilitary forces in the capital, Itanagar, he alleged.

To date, there was no law and order problem in the state. But Apang was trying to project that the situation was very bad and therefore the NSA was necessary to deal with the problem, the spokesman added.

Wanglet said Apang has complained to the Union home ministry that some AC-M members were encouraging ultras. "We demand a judicial enquiry into the allegation," he said, "No one is above law."

Wanglet said that the AC-M members and their families were getting threatening calls from anti social elements. Hence, the AC-M legislature party leader has requested the inspector general of police and the state home department to tighten the security in and around the Bomdila hotel complex, where they are staying at present.

Wanglet demanded that Apang resign immediately as his government has been "reduced to a minority".

The AC-M legislature party has issued a three-line whip to its supporters asking them to vote against the confidence motion in the assembly, he added.